2011.8.31

Team Meeting August 31 3:30 Ren's room = = =1. Kevin -- 3:30 to talk about resources ** Kevin talked about the inservice in October indicating that he and Margie will present a session on "RUNNING RECORDS'. This news was well-recevied by our team. Kevin gave us some info about standarizing our running records, shared information about the various books (resources) we will use for guided reading, and how we could use our iPads for RR.We all have a Guided Reading Program Fiction Focus (2nd edition) teacher's guide to refer to also. **= =**2. Bob Geniusz will join us at 4:00 to talk about MAM trip and number of chaperones needed for each trip****. Bob and the team revised the chaperones needed and discussed the dates. We are waiting for MAM to confirm the dates for the 3 trips. Bob agreed that our compiling the art folder is a huge help so we will do it. He needs it by trip #2. (Ren will compile and send to EGX for copying). **= =** 3. BTSN 6:45 meet in dining room, Laura and Carolyn will speak, 7-7:05 meet in garthering space, speak for about 25 minutes, dismiss to individual rooms, be done by 8:00PM. Ren ordered chairs from JRouse and has made copies of the two letters (VIP and Secret Letter) for all of us. Finalized plans for BTSN and added three other topics: Pick up at dismissal time, Chaperone expectations for field trips, and Birthday parties... **= " =4. Dates for upcoming field trips? We need **to let Sherry and Kathleen Roebber know and put each field trip into TWILS.** Cheryl will take care of TWILS and ren will alert Sherry and Kathleen, as well as gather the emergency packs and white binder. = = = =**5. Booking Paul Salerno? Restorative Justice sessions**= =**6. SW trip --- too soon to start discussions?**= =**7. Milwaukee Walking tour? kiddos researching and acting as tour guides, staggering visits, using FLIP cameras and other technology -- continue the discussion Fourth graders will work in groups so we will end up with about 8 groups. We will stagger our visits, children will do research, devise questions -- did you know, interview, ** questions, and observations. = =**8. How have our beginning days been?**= =**9. Discovery World/Denis Sullivan -- late May or early June-- start the discussion -- suggestion was made that we combine the two and skip the October trip -- we pay over 500.00 in fall and found that Discovery World was included in 1/2 day of Denis Sullivan Team liked the idea but wondered if the day would run too long and the fourth graders would be too tired to focus in the afternoon. Ren will talk with Pat again about the trip and bring more info back to the team. **= = = =**Read and discuss any info from the Grade Coordinators meeting (below)**=
 * =speaking roles as we introduce our fourth grade curr to parents,=
 * =what are specific topics we will address,=
 * =talk about special projects taking place during the year,=
 * =**classroom proceedures,**=
 * =**ways can parents help their fourth grader at home,**=
 * =establish and promote teacher confidence.=

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Grade Coordinator's Meeting 8/29/11 Carolyn, Jen Keppler, Carol Hardwick, Katie Meinholz, Ren Konik, Judy Clegg, Bonnie McMinn, Patti Ptak,. Ryan Murray, Bob Geniusz, Kathy Choren, Kathleen Roebber During Homecoming week students will be in uniform on Tuesday (Monday is Labor Day); Wednesday is a Wildcat Day (USM gear), Thursday crazy sock day, and Friday inside out day.
 * Begin phone calls to parents. Suggestions were made as to how to keep the calls concise. The phone log/communication form should be color coded to the same colors used for grades 1-4 in the Language Arts folder. If teams have already copied this onto white paper, put a colored dot on the paper to help indicate grade level.
 * Kathleen read the "allergy letter" that will be given to all parents. While some classrooms do not have any children that have severe allergies, we want all parents to know what the protocol is for bringing treats to school for birthdays and other special occasions. A suggestion was made that in lieu of sending "trinkets" to a classroom(instead of an edible treat), that a classroom gift (examples: a book, a puzzle, a game) be given to the classroom instead. Also, the "craft project" suggestions should be eliminated. Kathleen will revise the letter. It will be available for distritbution at LS Back to School Night, Sept. 1.
 * Are museum field trips: There is a change in the number of chaperones the Art Museum will allow on a field trip. One chaperone per class is now the maximum with the exception of 4th grade(for their second and third trips). First grade requested that this year the classes be kept together so there is both a teacher and parent with the group. This is possible this year becasue of the smaller class size in first grade. First grade requested that the number of field trips to the museum be changed from 3 to 2. Bog siad that this would not interfere with the overall goals of the docent program as the school goes on more trips than are required.
 * Sherry needs to know when your field trips are scheduled so it can be put on TWILS. **The grade coordinator or grade level designee is responsible for getting this information to Sherry.**
 * Sherry gave an overview of the sub folder that you will be receiving shortly. This folder should be under your phone so a substitute has access to any pertinent information. It will be turned in at the end of the school year for updates.
 * The pledge will be prerecorded by selected 4th, 6th and US students.
 * Back to School Night: The purpose of the evening is to inform parents of grade level currirulum and student expectations. The evening will begin in the MS/LS dining room at 6:45 (teachers please attend) with remarks from Laura Fuller and Carolyn Lengh. This should be finished by 7:00. Parents should be arriving at grade level designated areas by 7:10 PM. In the large group gathering each grade level is organizing curriculum should be reviewed as well as general student expectations. When in the classrooms, individual classroom procedures and expectatons can be addressed. The evening should end by 8:00 PM.
 * Curriculum Writing half days: These days are for curriculum--new/revised and not be used in lieu of the weekly grade level meeting. Morning time is 8:15 to 11:15. Afternoon time is 12:15-3:15. Clear days with Sherry before securing subs. Let Sherry know who your subs are.
 * Testing. How are we using the standardized tests we give? Several of those present expressed that the GRADE test did not really tell them anything about their students that was "new". After a discussion about the GRADE it was decided that it would not be administered this school year. The CTOP will be administered only to SK students who have been selected by the teacher (in January). The Children's Progress will be administered in SK, grades 1 and 2. Information about another online test, the MAPS test, is being gathered. **SK, first and second grade teachers are going to meet on Monday, October 24th to discuss the Children's Progress test and how information is used/shared.**
 * **Halloween celebrations will be on October 27th. Remembe that there will not be an assembly.**
 * Homecoming is September 9th. Jane is planning a fun run **later in the month.**
 * Check page 46 in the Handbook before ordering. Many things must go throught the business office for approval. School store purchases are at a discount price.